MYSURU: Condemning the relegation of Kannada to the 'Modern Indian languages' category under the new Choice Based Credit System adopted by the University of Mysore (UoM), Kannada lecturers from five districts, descended on Crawford Hall on Monday to protest the injustice meted out to the language.Members of the Degree Kannada Lecturers Association of UoM questioned the rationale adopted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for classifying Kannada as a modern language, while Tamil and Telugu had been grouped under 'Classical Indian Languages'.Urging the UoM to plead Kannada's case with the UGC, the protesters said, "Under CBCS, Kannada has been completely neglected. We want the UoM to take up the issue with the UGC and ensure the language is given its due."Pointing to the threat that marginalising Kannada posed to the academic activities around the language, the aggrieved lecturers said, "Research on Kannada will cease. It was mandatory for degree students to study Kannada for four semesters earlier. But, under CBCS, students will have to study it only for two semesters and it has become an elective, which is unacceptable."The association convener M Ramakrishna said that under CBCS, only three hours were allotted for teaching Kannada in a week, and opined that the number of hours must be hiked to at least four.

Stay updated with all the Latest Mysore headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.